Arsenal midfielder Samuel Galindo on trial with Rapids

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Wednesday, January 29, 2014) – Arsenal midfielder Samuel Galindo will join the Colorado Rapids on trial starting this week, with the 21-year-old Bolivian international looking for a spot on Colorado’s roster. An Arsenal player since 2010, Galindo has made two appearances for the Bolivia National Team.

“Samuel is a talented young player that we’re eager to take a look at in preseason,” said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. “We know that his background with Arsenal has given him a solid foundation, and his experience with the youth and full national teams from his country is a boost for such a young player.”

Galindo, a left-footed, box-to-box central midfielder, has been on loan for clubs in Spain and Bolivia since signing with Arsenal in 2010 out of the youth setup at Real América in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. He spent the 2010-11 season with UD Salamanca, then playing for Spanish Segunda clubs Gimnastic de Tarragona in 2011-12 and CD Lugo in 2012-13. He also played for top Bolivian club Jorge Wilstermann in 2012-13. A former captain of the Bolivian Under-17 and Under-20 National Teams, Galindo has also made two appearances for the full Bolivian National Team, making his debut at age 17 in a friendly against Mexico.

The Rapids have convened in Colorado for preseason training, and had their first full-team practice on Wednesday. The team trains Thursday at 10 a.m. MT before departing for Houston on Friday, where they will face the Dynamo on February 2 in the first preseason match. The team is also set to participate in the Las Vegas ProSoccer Challenge and the Desert Diamond Cup presented by Tucson FC. To purchase season tickets for the Rapids’ 2014 campaign, visit www.ColoradoRapids.com or call 303-825-GOAL.